Collection of Seller Rebuttals, Answers and Strategies

[Phillip Lanier]

Hello BP friends,

I thought it would be productive to collectively share common seller rebuttals and to see how different people handle such rebuttals.  I am hoping everyone can gain some type of knowledge from different experiences and perspectives.  I know I will. 

These are common rebuttals you hear when trying to buy a property from a potentual seller.  I will list a few.  If I am missing any, by all means, add rebuttals you have commonly come across.
After each rebuttal, give how you handle the rubuttal and if possible, the purpose (or psycological aspect, etc) of the answer.  Whatever you want to contribute; I am grateful for any contributions, short or long.  And if anything, let's have fun with it.

Here goes in no particular order:

R) "I need to talk to my wife, partner, dog, etc."

A) "By all means, I'm in no hurry."  (I admitt, this sucks and I haven't figured out a good one yet, hince, why I'm doing this)
A) "Is she on the same boat as you on selling the house?  Is this something you guys talked about and are in agreement?"  "Have you and your wife discussed what price you want to sell the house at?" (Basically, I'm trying to see if everything has been predetermined and if so, then I know there is more motivation.)

After trying to find out how much they want for the house.
R) "I don't know, I just want to see what you have to offer."

A) "Do you have a range in mind?" (I want them to anchor first)
R) "Your advertisement says you will make an offer, so make me an offer"

A) (At this point, I'll anchor with a low ball offer, but they have a point, my website and postcards says "Fair Cash Offer".)

R) "No way, that offer is too low."

A) "What do you have in mind?" (or some other variation)
A) "I understand you want the most out of your property; and I don't blame you.  You can probably get more if you fixed it up yourself and sell it retail."  (I'm trying to justify the offer buy getting them to think what all is involved in rehabbing)

R) "Another guy offered me... <some unreallistic number>."

A) "That's a great offer, you should take it."  (pretty much calling thier bluff) "I'm not able to match that offer, but I can close fast with cash."

Right off the bat on the first call

R) "If you're going to give me some low ball offer, then don't even bother."

I haven't figured out a good one for this, but I've used:
A) "Well what price do you have in mind?" (This usually leads to the previous dialog listed above)
A) "What do you consider a low ball offer?" (I'm trying to see how far apart my offer would be with thier expectations)